This is just the beginning, I promise you:
an open letter to Donald Trump
The US president’s racism is so blatant he may be an unwitting catalyst for overdue cultural change all over the world
Fri 5 Jun 2020 03.00
‘Thank you Mr President for inspiring us to instigate lasting change. This is just the beginning. I promise you.
Dear President Trump,
I realise this is an extremely busy time for you between games of golf and tweeting but I hope you may be boosted by a rare and welcome thank you letter from a black man at such an inconvenient moment in the history of the United States of America.
While all of those “animals” are rioting and looting in the streets over something as petty and unimportant as justice and equal human rights for black people and who, for some ridiculous reason, seem to be upset at police “doing their jobs” by applying a little too much physical pressure in apprehending yet another black citizen who subsequently died in their custody – I realised no one has thanked you for the wonderful work you are doing.
Keep it up!
I’m sure a man of your vast intellect may think my sentiment is tinged with a hint of sarcasm but I can assure you my gratitude is genuine, for you have unwittingly become the most influential US president in the history of that great country for all the wrong reasons.
Thank you for being so open and forthright in your evil attitude and lack of care towards the black population you preside over.
Thank you for not pandering to the “politically correct” and even pretending you have any empathy towards anyone who doesn’t look like you or share your outdated, disgraceful, disturbing views on society.
Thank you for showing us anyone can become president (even you!) and showing us the way forward by (unintentionally) inspiring us to instigate lasting change, not just a peaceful protest backed up by empty clicks of support on social media. This is just the beginning. I promise you.
Thank you for shining a spotlight to people around the world who have been sadly unaware of your country and the state it has been in for hundreds of years, and for outing the racist, hateful, bigoted and violent people who not only voted for you but have held the cultural key to an unjust, corrupt and fundamentally prejudiced society and system from the conception of the USA, built on the genocide of Native Americans and the slavery and incarceration of millions of black people.
Thank you for giving us a tangible, symbolic enemy (yourself and your Make America Great Again minions) against which people now have fuel to organise, strategise and mobilise a long-lasting movement and process to change our planet for good.
These problems have been here throughout my lifetime and generations before me, and as a black man my biggest pain, anguish and dejection has come not only by witnessing these atrocities committed repeatedly against my people, but actually the lack of shock and vivid desensitisation built up over the years while hearing (and sadly believing) that “things won’t change”.
Before you, we had presidents who turned a blind eye to this, who didn’t do nearly enough and were too busy working to fulfil the wishes of corrupt corporations who had lobbied them into power. The difference is they were media savvy and clever enough to say the right thing in public and show just enough fake sympathy in response to these human rights violations to pacify the growing numbers of people who inherently knew there had to be change.
Through your open hatred, indifference and disregard towards a people subjugated by physical, economic, mental and emotional abuse for more than 400 years you have unwittingly created a movement where increasing numbers of people from all creeds and colours around the world are discussing and debating the most constructive way to fight back together. We now understand we have to fight this injustice on a systemic level; protests are not enough.
You are the wolf in wolf’s clothing we’ve needed for years rather than your predecessors who posed as sheep.
You are the reason why my daughters – who are US citizens – ask me: “Why does the president hate black people?”
You are the catalyst for our future generations to impact lasting change not only to your corroding country but countries all over the world, including here in the UK.
You truly mirror the views and ideology of a group of people we must and will overcome. For that Mr President, I sincerely thank you.
Liam Rosenior
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Donald Trump. President of the United States of America
Dr. Sabri g. Bebawi, LLB, PHD
Paris, France July 18, 2020
Mr. president
I address you as 'Mr. President' with great reluctance, as I do not believe you embody the qualities of a leader worthy of the United States—perhaps more fitting for Tanzania. As an expatriate American citizen, I cannot accept you as my president. Your behavior has demonstrated that you are more akin to a street thug, a gangster who resorts to threats and violence, and your education falls far short of what one would expect from a public official.
This Is Donald Trump In Action
Donald, I’m certain you’re aware that you have failed the American people and made a mockery of the United States on the global stage. No politician or civilian in any country holds respect for America or its citizens anymore. Unfortunately, not everyone realizes that most Americans disapprove of your presence.
Your uneducated supporters didn’t understand that when you said 'Make America Great Again,' you meant dragging the country back to the 1800s and bringing it to its knees. Your desire to revive the world of 'Gone with the Wind' exposes your racism and disdain for anyone who isn’t like you or your KKK associates. Well, you’ve succeeded.
Never before have Americans been so divided as they are since you took the White House. You’ve managed to reveal the worst in people, allowing them to show their true colors as bigots, racists, homophobes, and misogynists. Well done, Donald.
As for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, you have consistently lied to the public and refused to acknowledge that we are the worst-hit country in the world. You’ve tried to deceive people by claiming you’re doing a great job, but in reality, you’re obstructing progress and ignoring the facts. You’re living in your own world. I’ve lost two cousins—brothers—within a week of each other. Now, my sister, her husband, their daughter, and her daughter’s boyfriend have all tested positive. My brother-in-law and niece are currently in intensive care. They are well-educated and always wore masks, but your followers, who misunderstand freedom and have no respect for others, have spread this virus unchecked. All of this is thanks to your ignorance and self-serving nature.
Donald, you are a disgrace to the United States, to the world, and to humanity. In my opinion, you should return to what you know best: pimping, running brothels, gambling casinos, and being the gangster you’ve always been.
With complete disrespect
Dr. Sabri g. Bebawi, LLB, PhD.
Paris France
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A MESSAGE FROM DR. SABRI G. BEBAWI, LLB, PHD.
PARIS, FRANCE
JULY 18, 2020
To my fellow Copts, Christians of our beloved Egypt, both at home and abroad, I ask you: why do you so fervently support American Republicans, despite their resemblance to a terrorist group that pretends to know your God? I think I know the answer.
In my view, Copts are just as hypocritical as Republicans. Both claim to know God while following an ideology that permits them to commit wrongdoings throughout the week, only to seek absolution in church on Sunday, feeling forgiven and ready to repeat the cycle. They might steal a blind man’s meal and justify it by believing that since God made the man blind, they are not at fault.
During my time in law school, under the mentorship of my honorable father, George Bebawi, I learned some eye-opening truths. On one occasion, my father sent me to deliver legal documents to a well-known doctor. Upon arriving at the doctor’s villa, I was stunned to find the doctor’s wife in her underwear, sitting next to an Archbishop who was also in his undergarments, lounging with his legs on a table covered with whiskey bottles, beer, and plates of nuts. My arrival neither disturbed nor embarrassed them. The wife simply told me the doctor was not home and to leave the documents with her. In disbelief, I returned to the office and recounted the event to my father. He simply smiled and advised me to keep it to myself, though I shared it with everyone I knew.
Years later, after I had left Egypt for Oxford University, I received a distressing call from my niece, who was then a teenager. Through tears, she recounted how the new Archbishop of Fayoum, our hometown, had called her to visit him. During the visit, he attempted to seduce her, trying to remove her blouse. She fled from the church, panicked and crying, and told her mother. I was reminded of my earlier experience and tried to comfort her, advising her to avoid the church. To this day, I don’t know if she ever returned.
When confronted with the corruption and misdeeds of priests, Copts often respond, "Not all priests are like that." Yet, they never extend the same understanding to Muslims or Jews. While only a minority of Islamists are terrorists and only a few Jews are extreme Orthodox, Copts tend to despise all Muslims and Jews. Hypocrisy permeates their way of life. They lie, cheat, and steal, all while pretending to be devout. They deceive their partners, yet present themselves as holy and pure.
As a social scientist, I’ve long been fascinated by the fact that almost all Copts identify as Republicans, and I’ve sought to understand why. Through observation and questioning, I’ve realized that Copts are deeply conservative, and Republican ideology aligns with their beliefs—beliefs that are fundamentally oppressive. Copts share Republicans’ opposition to freedom of speech, women’s rights, secularism, and free expression. Both groups are homophobic, believing that being gay or lesbian is a sinful choice against God’s will. Copts also exhibit racism, harboring disdain for Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and anyone who opposes their worldview. They advocate for prayer in schools, want everyone to embrace Christianity, and mock or disrespect other religious beliefs. They detest the idea of same-sex marriage and equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals, and they find women and girls dressing in revealing clothing disgraceful. Most of all, they despise the truth.
In essence, Copts and American Republicans share a similar ideology rooted in fascism and authoritarianism. They also harbor an irrational hatred for Jews, falsely believing that Jews, not Romans, crucified Jesus. They remain willfully ignorant, unable or unwilling to see or hear the truth.
As a Copt who knows his people well, I speak from experience and understanding.
Dr. Sabri g. Bebawi.